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5.9/10
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Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.Chief of Scouts Ed Bannon works for the US Army at Fort Clark, Texas and he dreams of aiding in bringing peace to the region, despite opposition from both the Army and the Apaches.
Frank DeKova
- Chief Chattez
- (as Frank de Kova)
Robert J. Wilke
- Sgt. Stone
- (as Robert Wilke)
James Anderson
- Jerry August
- (as Kyle James)
John Pickard
- John Gunther
- (as John M. Pickard)
Eric Alden
- Cavalryman
- (uncredited)
Rachel Ames
- Mrs. Kirk
- (uncredited)
Jim Burk
- Cavalryman
- (uncredited)
Rus Conklin
- Wakamaza
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe character "Ed Bannon" is partially based on Al Sieber, Chief of Scouts of the United States Army in the Southwest, according to the legend that appears at the end of the film, but there are several significant differences between Bannon and Sieber. The fictional Bannon was raised by Apaches, but Sieber was born in Germany (in 1844) and raised in New York. Bannon has an antipathy toward Native Americans, especially Apaches, which Sieber did not. Ironically, according to those who knew him, he didn't particularly like whites and preferred the company of Native Americans. Sieber, a Civil War veteran, became chief of scouts for the U.S. Army at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in 1870. He led the Apache scouts who helped to track down and capture Geronimo in Mexico, and reportedly survived 29 arrow and gunshot wounds during his life. In 1907, he was killed in an accident while working as the foreman of a Native American road-building crew. Sieber spoke German, English, Spanish, Apache, and at least one other Native American language. He mentored Tom Horn who was also a scout for the army and became multi-lingual under Sieber's tutelage.
- GoofsThere actually was a Ghost Dance movement; it was a religious revival of Native Americans in 1890, but it did not involve Apaches, who inhabited mainly the Southwest (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico). It was popular among the Lakota (Sioux) of the Northern Plains.
- Crazy creditsOpening card: To the General of the armies: Regarding the subject of recommendation of the Congressional Award... and in my opinion this man -- in constant disregard of his personal feelings and (as Chief of Scouts) repeatedly risking his life that others may be saved -- deserves to have his name rank with Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, Wm. F Cody and others whose unselfish service to this country can never be forgotten. Respectfully, George Crook, Brig. General, U.S. Army, May 7, 1886.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003)
Featured review
Ed Bannon (Charlton Heston) is a no-nonsense scout at Fort Clark, Texas, who used to live with the Apaches. He is suspicious when the son of the chief, Toriano (Jack Palance), is returning from his education back East at the same time the Chiricahuas are meeting the U.S. Army. He solemnly warns that they will not peaceably be shipped off to Florida. Brian Keith plays the new commanding officer of the fort in his feature film debut. Katy Jurado and Mary Sinclair are also on hand.
"Arrowhead" (1953) was based on W.R. Burnett's novel wherein the author patterned Ed Bannon (Heston) after the real-life Albert Sieber. Meanwhile the film was shot at the actual Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas. As such, it has some authenticity in its favor even while a bit marred by the dated style of its era. The problem is some people don't want ugly reality, but rather political correctness.
I don't get what the problem is. Bannon is understandably cheerless in a tense life-or-death situation while the Chiricahuas are depicted as formidable warriors who are willing to fight to the death. The movie portrays the culmination of the Indian Wars (as far as the Apaches go) in a fictitious story backed by factual material and it's not pleasant, but rather grim and brutal. It was the Indian WARS, after all, not the Indian love-in.
The film runs 1 hour, 45 minutes.
GRADE: B
"Arrowhead" (1953) was based on W.R. Burnett's novel wherein the author patterned Ed Bannon (Heston) after the real-life Albert Sieber. Meanwhile the film was shot at the actual Fort Clark in Brackettville, Texas. As such, it has some authenticity in its favor even while a bit marred by the dated style of its era. The problem is some people don't want ugly reality, but rather political correctness.
I don't get what the problem is. Bannon is understandably cheerless in a tense life-or-death situation while the Chiricahuas are depicted as formidable warriors who are willing to fight to the death. The movie portrays the culmination of the Indian Wars (as far as the Apaches go) in a fictitious story backed by factual material and it's not pleasant, but rather grim and brutal. It was the Indian WARS, after all, not the Indian love-in.
The film runs 1 hour, 45 minutes.
GRADE: B
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,640,000
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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